Mickelson Sorry if People 'Upset or Insulted' over Tax Complaints

A day after threatening to leave California due to its high taxes, Phil Mickelson expressed regret for commenting publicly about the matter.

Mickelson, in a statement to Fox News, said he was sorry he may have “upset or insulted” people with his comments about how high taxes may force him to leave California or make “drastic changes” to his golf career.

“Finances and taxes are a personal matter and I should not have made my opinions on them public,” Mickelson said on Monday night. “I certainly don’t have a definitive plan at this time, but like everyone else I want to make decisions that are best for my future and my family,” he said.

On Sunday, Mickelson said he was unsure if he would stay in California and said the rates at which he was taxed at the state and federal level will force him to make “drastic changes.” Last November, California passed Proposition 30, raising the tax rate on those making over $250,000. For those making more than $1 million, the state tax rate is now 13.3%. The federal tax rate, after Congess and the White House reached a deal to avert the so-called fiscal cliff, is 39.6% for individuals and families making $400,000 and $450,000, respectively.

“There are going to be some drastic changes for me because I happen to be in that zone that has been targeted both federally and by the state and, you know, it doesn’t work for me right now,” Mickelson said on Sunday. “So I’m going to have to make some changes.”